Affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC (NYSE: APO) and Apex Energy LLC formed a strategic partnership to invest in oil and gas properties in the Appalachian Basin with a primary focus on the Marcellus shale.

Apex’s executive management team is led by Mark Rothenberg, CEO, and Ed Long, chief operating officer. Prior to Apex, Rothenberg and Long were part of the leadership team for the EXCO Resource Inc. (NYSE: XCO) joint venture in the Appalachian Basin. Prior to EXCO, Rothenberg was at Vantage Energy LLC, a private equity-backed E&P company formed in December 2006.

Apex is an oil and gas company focused on developing unconventional assets in the Appalachian Basin. The company is based in Pittsburgh.

Apollo Global Management LLC is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm is headquartered in New York and has nine additional offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.